Microblading Gone Wrong: What's Good to Know?
Microblading is a great way to fix all your brow problems, but you should be aware of possible risks before you book an appointment. Read on for all the possible microblading gone wrong scenarios.
Image source: Instagram @dermaluxespa
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Last updated in February 2022.
Microblading has been the most popular permanent makeup procedure for quite some time now, which is no wonder since it can give fabulous results. Although this procedure is generally considered relatively safe, there’s always a chance of microblading gone wrong.
We’ve explored all the ways in which microblading can go wrong, what to do when it does, and precautions to take to avoid an unsatisfactory result in the first place.
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What Is Considered a Microblading Gone Wrong?
The primary reason some people are reluctant to get s cosmetic eyebrow tattoo is being afraid they’ll end up with botched microblading.
This implies all kinds of poorly executed brows:
- uneven, asymmetric arches,
- needle strokes too long, too short or too thick (the most common issue)
- unnatural positioning of the arches
- blocks of color rather than hair-like strokes
- wrong choice of pigment shade, etc.
The depth at which the pigment is injected is also a potential issue, as injecting it too deep will lead to gray or blue undertones once healed. On the other hand, not injecting them deep enough will reduce pigment retention.
All these can leave the client with unnatural, artificial-looking brows for up to 18 months.
Apart from these aesthetic disasters, poor execution can leave you with an infection, permanent scarring if the technician is too aggressive, or an allergic reaction if the tech fails to do a patch test prior to the procedure.
If you’re considering undergoing a microblading treatment, do your research. Our ultimate guide is a good place to start Microblading Eyebrows – The Ultimate Guide
Why Do Microblading Gone Wrong Situations Happen?
The number one problem in the world of permanent makeup at the moment is the lack of regulations that would prevent anyone under experienced from doing microblading on clients.
On top of that, there is no way to stop clients from going to so-called artists who are self-taught and may not have even finished basic training. The main reason people go to underqualified artists practicing illegally who promise professional results is low prices.
Another issue is poor training courses that can be found at cheap prices. Although an artist may technically have a certificate, this does not guarantee the quality of the course they’ve taken. More obscure training centers are often run by artists who are underqualified themselves. This too goes back to the lack of regulation and supervision from the government.
Image source: Instagram @dana_depta_pmu
How Is Microblading Regulated by Law?
The answer varies from state to state.
In some states, an individual has to go through a long period of training and apprenticeship that is supervised by the local government. In other states, the microblading regulations are less strict, or may not even exist. A number of states do not recognize microblading as a separate treatment, but rather a branch of tattooing, so there are no laws pertaining specifically to microblading.
Here you can check the licensing conditions in your state.
What Are the Physical Consequences of Microblading Gone Wrong?
The consequences of bad microblading treatment can be both physical and psychological, both of which can affect the life of the “botchee”.
An allergic reaction will manifest itself in an extremely uncomfortable inflammatory process. Similar symptoms can appear if the pigment used is of low quality and includes nickel, which the body will try to get rid of.
Most common infections are mild and not serious, but a more severe infection can lead to swelling and permanent scarring. It’s also likely you’ll need antibiotics.
Since the position of the eyebrows is close to the sinus cavities, if an infection is not treated promptly and properly, it can spread and become life-threatening.
Image source: Instagram @browmepretty
How Does Microblading Gone Wrong Affect the Client Psychologically?
Apart from the already mentioned health risks, which are very rare, a botched microblading leads to a drop in self-confidence and perpetual discomfort. Those affected become more withdrawn and avoid social situations because their brows draw looks from strangers.
There’s also an element of disappointment.
They are further enhanced by the stress of having to go through corrections or removal. The bills from these additional appointments can pile up and make a dent in the budget much bigger than you’d been expecting. Not to mention how tiresome it can be having to follow a strict appointment schedule some removal methods require.
Corrections and removals are also additional trauma to the skin, so the whole process is quite draining and exhausting both physically and mentally.
How to Fix Microblading Eyebrows Gone Wrong?
Microblading effects lasts up to two years and without touch-ups, they will fade.
However, a botched microblading usually eliminates the possibility of that long a wait. Prevention is definitely the best cure, but if you find yourself with unsatisfactory results, fortunately, there are ways to fix it through camouflage, gradual fading or removal.
Makeup
It sounds obvious, but minor imperfections can be camouflaged with eyebrow pencil just fine.
Get a Touch-up from Another Artist
Before you start to panic, make an appointment with another, more recognized artist.
Unfortunately, many artists are used to fixing others’ mistakes, so they might have a practical solution. It may be an extra cost, but if the results can be fixed with just a couple of additional strokes, it’s worth a shot.
You do need to wait until the original work heals completely – up to a month and a half.
Try to Fade it at Home
If you ended up with unnaturally dark brows, some DIY methods, such as hydrogen peroxide paste or retinol treatments are said to be effective at fading microblading. Lear more about that in this article.
Saline Removal
Saline removal has turned out to be quite successful in removing unwanted PMU pigments. It implies having a saline solution injected into the treated area over the unwanted strokes.
Saline removal can be used as an emergency removal method, which in that case will have to be done within the first 48 hours after the treatment. It is perfect for botched microblading.
You can’t get saline removal after that timeframe, while your brows are healing. You will need to wait at least 6 weeks for the brows to completely heal and then start with the removal sessions.
Glycolic Acid Removal
Glycolic acid removal is similar to saline removal, but the solution inserted is different. Learn all about this removal here.
Laser Removal
There’s also the good old laser removal. This is done by a laser removal expert. The number of sessions depends on how much pigment you need to remove and how your skin reacts to it. Learn more about laser removal here.
Image source: Instagram @microbladedeyebrows
How Can I Avoid Botched Microblading?
In order to avoid the hassle of fixing an eyebrow microblading gone wrong, do your best to prevent it from happening it in the first place. The best way to do this? Research.
Research PMU Artists in Your Area
The choice artist is the most important factor that will make or break the final look.
As we’ve already mentioned, you should avoid unlicensed, self-taught and underqualified “artists”, regardless of their low pricing. You may save money initially, but the cost of damage control can make the total cost skyrocket.
You should look into the artist’s portfolio (these are usually their Facebook or Instagram pages, or just ask for examples of their work when you go in for consults) and ask around if your friends or friends-of-friends know anyone who’s been microbladed by that particular artist.
For some salons, there are reviews available online, too. If you come across many negative ones, it’s best to look for another artist.
Ask About the Artist’s Training
Your research doesn’t stop once you’re at the salon.
Look around the artist’s workspace for certificates, they’ll usually have them on display. If they don’t, ask for proof they’ve gone through proper training. You have every right to do so!
Pay Attention to Hygiene and Possible Misconduct
Before the procedure starts, if the workspace and any of the tools look like they’re not sterile, the best option is to back out.
The awkwardness of the situation is not worth an infection. If you notice the artist hasn’t put on surgical gloves or a protective face mask, you should react. The artist is also supposed to open all disposable supplies in front of you, so you can be sure the blade hasn’t been used already and that it is sterile.
It is also their responsibility to ask you about any possible medical conditions (some medical conditions make you unsuitable for microblading) and allergies and do a patch test.
You will probably have to sign some forms, too. If they don’t do any of these things, it’s a sign of unprofessionalism.
Ask About the Pigments
You should ask about the ingredients of the pigments used regardless of your prior experience with tattoos or permanent makeup.
They may contain some ingredient you’re allergic to, and nickel should be avoided at all costs. It might be a good idea to look into some brands beforehand, so you get the idea of what is good quality and what is subpar.
Know Your Skin
Microblading is a procedure that works best on normal to dry skin.
Microblading for oily skin is a bit trickier to do and the results may not live up to your expectations. Regardless of the artist’s experience, oily skin retains pigments harder and it is prone to pigment migration, which makes the strokes of microblading blurry and thick in time.
The problem here is that your artist can’t know what will happen to the strokes until they’re healed. So if you have oily skin and want to enhance your brows, perhaps it’s better to go for a machine treatment like powder brows.
Microblading Gone Wrong – Main Takeaways
Microblading can give amazing results, but only if performed by a certified professional. Be careful who you trust with your brows, as this is a crucial step to avoiding microblading gone wrong brows scenarios.
Besides obvious changes in appearance and potential health and infection risks, a bad microblading leads to a drop in self-confidence causing long-lasting discomfort. If you’re considering undergoing a treatment like this, do thorough research beforehand, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Our ultimate guide to microblading is a good place to start.
If you do end up with a bad microblading despite all these precautions, microblading gone bad can be mitigated to some extent through several methods. Unfortunately, they’re neither painless nor cheap.
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